Royal Antwerp FC have bolstered their defence with the signing of young Barcelona talent Álvaro Cortés. The transfer was reported on 3 September 2026 by HLN Voetbal, with journalist Axel Brisart detailing the move.
The club currently sits ninth in the Jupiler Pro League with seven points from four matches. They have scored ten goals and conceded nine. The next challenge is an away fixture against Standard Liege on 5 September, a direct rival in sixth place.
Álvaro Cortés is a youth product of FC Barcelona. His departure from Spain is notable, as according to the HLN Voetbal report, he had just experienced the 'best day of his life' receiving a contract from then-Barça coach Hansi Flick. Despite this, Flick allowed him to leave, paving the way for a move to Antwerp. The young defender is seen as an addition to strengthen the club's defensive line.
The arrival of Cortés fits into an active period for the club. Sporting director Marc Overmars commented on the situation. "Er zijn weer mogelijkheden en we kunnen ergens naartoe werken," said Overmars. The club has also said goodbye to 20-year-old Jules Ahoka, who left for more than ten million euros after just four matches to join Sunderland on a contract until 2031.
There has also been movement in the dugout. Marvin Compper has been officially presented as Antwerp's new head coach. Compper, a product of the Red Bull school and known as a fan of Ferraris, has a clear vision for the team. "Wil hier ‘Red Bull-voetbal’ brengen," the new coach said. His appointment marks the start of a new phase, while the club has also found commercial stability with Heylen Vastgoed extending its main sponsorship until 2031.
The current league standing is a mix of promise and room for improvement. Antwerp are ninth with seven points, five points behind leaders Charleroi. Their recent form is LDWW, indicating an upward trend after a mixed start. Fans can follow the full table and statistics on our standings page.
The transfer of Cortés and the departure of Ahoka show a reshuffling of the squad. The defence gets a new injection of talent, while the club's finances were boosted by a significant sale. These moves come as the team prepares for a busy period. The coming weeks are important in the league, and the team's composition can be followed via our squad overview.
The club now looks ahead to the away match against Standard Liege on Saturday, 5 September. This clash against a side with just three more points offers a chance to climb the table. All upcoming fixtures can be found in the fixtures calendar.
